Bailey.Academic_Writing

3.3 Adverbs
1. Adverbs are used in academic texts in a variety of ways.
Among the most important are:
a) to provide more detail, with verbs and adjectives:
Reasonably good data are available for only . . .
. . . decomposition eventually ceases in modern landfills
...
b) individually, often at the beginning of sentences, to
introduce new points:
Currently, the earth’s atmosphere appears to be . . .
Alternatively, the use of non-conventional renewable
energies . . .
(These can be similar in function to conjunctions.)
2. Adverbs linked to verbs and adjectives usually fall into three
groups.
a) Time (when?)
previously published
retrospectively examined
b) Degree (how much?)
declined considerably
contribute substantially
c) Manner (in what way?)
medically complicated
remotely located
cross-reference
2.13 Style
3. Adverbs used individually need to be employed with care.
It is dangerous to overuse them, since they are often like the
author’s ‘voice’, commenting on the topic. As the academic
writer aims to be objective, adverbs like fortunately or
remarkably may be unsuitable. However, other, less subjective
adverbs can be useful for opening paragraphs or linking
ideas. The following examples are often followed by a
comma.
Time
recently
increasingly
originally
presently
currently
traditionally
Relating ideas
clearly
obviously
(not) surprisingly
alternatively
similarly
(more) importantly